Folkestone and Hythe, Members' Allowance

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOLKESTONE AND HYTHE DISTRICT COUNCIL

MEMBERS’ ALLOWANCES – SCHEME OF ALLOWANCES
FOR THE REMUNERATION OF COUNCILLORS IN
THE DISTRICT OF FOLKESTONE AND HYTHE

This notice is published in accordance with regulation 16(2) of the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003.

On 9 May 2012, the Council resolved to adopt, with effect from 10 May 2012, a scheme of Members’ allowances, having given due regard to the recommendations contained in the second report of the Independent Remuneration Panel of Shepway District Council

(the former name of Folkestone and Hythe District Council), dated October 2015.

Minor amendments were made to the scheme in 2017, again having regard to the Panel’s recommendations. The scheme was subsequently reviewed in October 2019 and again in 2024. The Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) produced a further report in May 2024.

The Council joined the East Kent Joint Independent Remuneration Panel (EKJIRP) in June 2025. No further reports have been published to date.

Details of the scheme can be found in the Constitution on the Council’s website:
www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/fhdc-councillors/councillors-allowances

The main elements of the scheme are the payment of a basic allowance of £6,350 per year to each of the 30 members of the council and the payment of special responsibility allowances to certain councillors who have been appointed to particular positions by the Council or the Leader of the Council.

2026-27 Special Responsibility Allowances (SRA) per annum1

1 If more than one position attracting an SRA is held, only one will be paid.

2 Where the responsibilities of ‘Leader of the Opposition’ are divided between two or more individuals under the provisions of this scheme, the uplift to the relevant SRA before division will be equivalent to 75 basis points to 225 basis points). The distribution of the SRA will be set at the outset of the municipal year and not altered, irrespective of changes in group size, until the start of the next municipal year.

The council also pays a yearly ICT allowance of £266 subject to the claimant meeting certain conditions detailed in the scheme.

In addition the council may pay co-optees an allowance in accordance with the formula described in the Scheme.

Councillors with dependents can claim a dependants’ carers’ allowance paid at an hourly rate equivalent to the adult national living wage.

Councillors are also entitled to travel and subsistence expenses where they are incurred in connection with their role as a councillor.

The council is required to make available the amounts paid to each councillor for the previous year.

The scheme and figures for the year 2026/27 are available for inspection on our website or at the Council’s offices during normal office hours by appointment. Please contact Committee Services on 01303 853000.

Ewan Green Director of Strategy & Resources, and Monitoring Officer,
Folkestone and Hythe District Council
Civic Centre
Castle Hill Avenue,
Folkestone Kent CT20 2QY May 2026